On March 3-7, 2025, the Italian Province of St. Francis of Assisi(Central Italy) celebrated the first part of its Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the International Seraphicum College in Rome.
Forty Capitulars participated, representing the 127 friars who are members of the Province. Others present included the Delegate of the Provincial Delegation in Cuba, Friar Luigi MORETTI and the Vicar Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in Brazil, Friar Valdir DA SILVA LOPES.
The Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, presided over and led the Chapter proceedings.
During the first two days, the friars listened to reports on the path of the Province over the last four years (2021-2025). Those making reports included Friar Giovanni VOLTAN, the Visitator General and Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP) and the Minister Provincial, Friar Francesco LENTI.
After evaluating the last four years in the Province, the Capitulars moved on to hearing reports from the Custody in Brazil, the Delegation in Cuba and the various Provincial Commissions.
On the third day, Friar Antu Daniel PALATTYKOONATHAN, the Provincial Econom, reported on the financial status of the Province. Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO, the Procurator General and Legal Representative of the Order, reported on the economic visitation. Finally, there were reports on our guidance of the Poor Clares, the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.), the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), and various works of the Province.
The Capitulars then worked in small groups to analyze the ups and downs of the last four years and to draft some proposals, which the secretaries reworked into a summary for drafting the Instrumentum laboris to be used during the second part of the Provincial Chapter.
Next, Friar Francesco LENTI was officially proclaimed Minister Provincial; he had already been elected to his second term by mail ballot on January 7, 2025. Afterwards, the Definitors were elected. They are: Friar Daniele GIOMBINI, Provincial Vicar (second term); Friar Daniele SCIACCA, Provincial Secretary (second term); Friar Albino TANUCCI, Definitor (second term); Friar Franco BUONAMANO, Definitor (first term); Friar Roberto LIGGERI, Definitor (first term); and Friar Lucio MASSACCESI, Definitor (first term). In addition, Friar Silvano BIANCO was elected the Delegate to the 2025 General Chapter.
The first part of the Chapter concluded with an invitation from the Minister General to grow in fraternity and transparency. The second part of the Chapter will be held on May 5-10, 2025, again at the Seraphicum.
Chapter Secretariat
